MTGGoldfish is supported by its audience. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.
Browse > Home / Decks / Commander / Kess, Dissident Mage

Deck Primer / Description

Kess, the Dissident Mage – Play Cheat Sheet
Early Game (Turns 1–4)

Goal: Set up mana, smooth draws, avoid being the early threat.

Play mana rocks early: Signets, Talismans, Fellwar Stone, Burnished Hart.

Cast cheap cantrips: Ponder, Preordain, Brainstorm, Faithless Looting to dig for lands and setup pieces.

Hold interaction (Cancel, Dissipate, Abrade) for true threats, not small value plays.

If you draw Narset or Notion Thief, consider waiting until you can wheel (Windfall) or disrupt a big draw.

Mid Game (Turns 5–8)

Goal: Build resource advantage & set up engines.

Deploy Kess when:

You can cast an instant/sorcery from the graveyard right away.

You have enough mana to protect her or follow up with impact spells.

Drop value engines: Jace’s Sanctum, Metallurgic Summonings, Archmage Emeritus.

Use recursion with Kess for double spells each turn — one from hand, one from graveyard.

Start soft-controlling the table: Capsize, Vandalblast, targeted removal.

Keep an eye on your graveyard; don’t exile key finishers with Mission Briefing unless necessary.

Late Game (Turns 9+)

Goal: Close the game with overwhelming value or big finishers.

Win options:

Torment of Hailfire for lethal after ramping to 10+ mana.

Rise from the Tides / Talrand, Sky Summoner for a huge army.

Charmbreaker Devils or Guttersnipe for incremental damage.

Thousand-Year Storm + multiple cheap spells for explosive value/damage.

If behind:

Blasphemous Act for a board reset.

Diluvian Primordial to steal haymakers from opponents’ graveyards.

Capsize with buyback to stall the strongest threat.

Priority Lines & Reminders
High Priority Kess Recursion Targets

Draw/fix: Ponder, Preordain, Faithless Looting, Frantic Search.

Control: Chaos Warp, Cancel, Capsize.

Setup: Expressive Iteration, Fact or Fiction, Mystical Teachings (to find more instants).

Finish: Torment of Hailfire, Relentless Assault, Rise from the Tides.

Strong Play Patterns

Setup + Wheel Lock:

Play Narset, Parter of Veils or Notion Thief → cast Windfall to strip hands.

Engine Turns:

Thousand-Year Storm + Frantic Search / Faithless Looting for massive value.

Capsize Soft Lock:

With 9+ mana, cast Capsize with buyback each turn to bounce the scariest permanent.

Resource Management

Don’t overextend into a board wipe — stagger your value creatures/enchantments.

Track your graveyard: Kess can only cast noncreature spells, so plan your sequencing.

You don’t need to answer every threat — let the table handle some problems for you.

Politics & Table Presence

Early: Stay under the radar — no early Kess unless safe.

Mid: Make allies by removing threats that hurt multiple players.

Late: Transition into inevitability once you have 2–3 engines or 10+ mana.

Card Breakdown

Below are the most popular cards played in this deck:

Creatures

Kess, Dissident Mage Kess, Dissident Mage [NCC]
Goblin Electromancer Goblin Electromancer [OTC]
Guttersnipe Guttersnipe [CMM]
Archmage Emeritus Archmage Emeritus [FIC]
Talrand, Sky Summoner Talrand, Sky Summoner [CMM]
Nightscape Familiar Nightscape Familiar [DMR]
Storm-Kiln Artist Storm-Kiln Artist [CMM]
Coruscation Mage Coruscation Mage [BLB]
Kessig Flamebreather Kessig Flamebreather [VOW]
Young Pyromancer Young Pyromancer [J25]
Black Waltz No. 3 Black Waltz No. 3 [FIN]
Cormela, Glamour Thief Cormela, Glamour Thief <showcase> [SNC]
Baleful Strix Baleful Strix [FIC]
Harmonic Prodigy Harmonic Prodigy <showcase> [MH2]
Caldera Pyremaw Caldera Pyremaw [TDC]
Mizzix, Replica Rider Mizzix, Replica Rider [J22]
Archaeomancer Archaeomancer [M13]
Dualcaster Mage Dualcaster Mage <precon> [CMR]
Sedgemoor Witch Sedgemoor Witch [PLIST]
Notion Thief Notion Thief [LTC]
Gravebreaker Lamia Gravebreaker Lamia [THB]
Hullbreaker Horror Hullbreaker Horror <retro> [INR]
Dragon's Rage Channeler Dragon's Rage Channeler [MH2]
Baral, Chief of Compliance Baral, Chief of Compliance [AER]
Cloud of Faeries Cloud of Faeries [DMR]
Electrostatic Field Electrostatic Field [PLIST]
Firebrand Archer Firebrand Archer [FDN]
Ledger Shredder Ledger Shredder [SNC]
Snapcaster Mage Snapcaster Mage [ISD]
Stormcatch Mentor Stormcatch Mentor [BLB]
Thassa's Oracle Thassa's Oracle [THB]
Thermo-Alchemist Thermo-Alchemist [SCD]
Third Path Iconoclast Third Path Iconoclast [TDC]
Burnished Hart Burnished Hart [CLB]
Doomed Necromancer Doomed Necromancer [J25]
Imperial Recruiter Imperial Recruiter [MH2]
Laboratory Maniac Laboratory Maniac <Vana'diel Adventurers> [FCA]
Mindwhisker Mindwhisker [BLB]
Obsessive Stitcher Obsessive Stitcher [M21]
Opposition Agent Opposition Agent [CMR]
Spellseeker Spellseeker [CMM]
Braids, Cabal Minion Braids, Cabal Minion [MH2]
Crackling Drake Crackling Drake [RVR]
Displacer Kitten Displacer Kitten [CLB]
Murmuring Mystic Murmuring Mystic [PLIST]
Sower of Temptation Sower of Temptation [BBD]
Treasonous Ogre Treasonous Ogre [CNS]
Gandalf the Grey Gandalf the Grey <showcase> [LTR]
Judith, Carnage Connoisseur Judith, Carnage Connoisseur <showcase Dossier> [MKM]
Peregrine Drake Peregrine Drake [DMR]
River Kelpie River Kelpie [TDC]
Burning-Rune Demon Burning-Rune Demon [KHM]
Charmbreaker Devils Charmbreaker Devils [J25]
Consecrated Sphinx Consecrated Sphinx <Imiri Sakabashira> [SLD]
Deadeye Navigator Deadeye Navigator [INR]
Dragonlord Silumgar Dragonlord Silumgar [DTK]
Etali, Primal Storm Etali, Primal Storm [BLC]
Metamorphosis Fanatic Metamorphosis Fanatic <extended> [DSC]
Niv-Mizzet, Parun Niv-Mizzet, Parun [GRN]
Sire of Insanity Sire of Insanity [DGM]
Diluvian Primordial Diluvian Primordial [SCD]
Lord Xander, the Collector Lord Xander, the Collector [SNC]
Rune-Scarred Demon Rune-Scarred Demon [FDN]
Sheoldred, Whispering One Sheoldred, Whispering One [JMP]
Toxrill, the Corrosive Toxrill, the Corrosive <showcase> [VOW]
Archon of Cruelty Archon of Cruelty <showcase> [MH2]
Avatar of Woe Avatar of Woe [CN2]
Valgavoth, Terror Eater Valgavoth, Terror Eater [DSK]
Void Winnower Void Winnower [BFZ]
Jin-Gitaxias, Core Augur Jin-Gitaxias, Core Augur <Phyrexian Praetors> [SLD] (F)

Planeswalkers

Professor Onyx Professor Onyx [DSC]
Narset, Parter of Veils Narset, Parter of Veils [WAR]
Jace, Wielder of Mysteries Jace, Wielder of Mysteries [WAR]
Ral, Storm Conduit Ral, Storm Conduit [PLIST]

Spells

Frantic Search Frantic Search <retro> [DMR]
Faithless Looting Faithless Looting [LCC]
Chaos Warp Chaos Warp [FIC]
Blasphemous Act Blasphemous Act [DSC]
Dark Ritual Dark Ritual [5ED]
Ponder Ponder [TDC]
Negate Negate [AER]
Bedevil Bedevil [FIC]
Brainstorm Brainstorm <Endwalker> [FCA]
Preordain Preordain [TDC]
Feed the Swarm Feed the Swarm [LCC]
Rakdos Charm Rakdos Charm [EOC]
Terminate Terminate <foil etched> [ACR]
Consider Consider [TDC]
Counterspell Counterspell [CMM]
Cyclonic Rift Cyclonic Rift [MM3]
Demonic Tutor Demonic Tutor [MB1]
Exsanguinate Exsanguinate [FIC]
Increasing Vengeance Increasing Vengeance [C19]
Cruel Ultimatum Cruel Ultimatum <showcase> [OTP]
Fireball Fireball <showcase> [CLB]
Lightning Bolt Lightning Bolt <showcase> [CLB]
Serum Visions Serum Visions [AFC]
Crackle with Power Crackle with Power <showcase> [OTP]
Solve the Equation Solve the Equation [STX]
Blood Money Blood Money [LCC]
Mnemonic Deluge Mnemonic Deluge [CMR]
Blood for the Blood God! Blood for the Blood God! [40K]
Expressive Iteration Expressive Iteration [TDC]
Lightning Strike Lightning Strike [DFT]
Reckless Impulse Reckless Impulse [VOW]
Thrill of Possibility Thrill of Possibility [DMU]
Toxic Deluge Toxic Deluge [MH3]
Unwind Unwind [DOM]
Fact or Fiction Fact or Fiction <precon> [CMR]
Insult // Injury Insult // Injury [PLIST]
Careful Study Careful Study [PLIST]
Opt Opt [J22]
Reanimate Reanimate [FIC]
Swan Song Swan Song [EOC]
Vandalblast Vandalblast [FIC]
Abrade Abrade [FDN]
Narset's Reversal Narset's Reversal [TDC]
Night's Whisper Night's Whisper [EOC]
See the Truth See the Truth [M21]
Crosis's Charm Crosis's Charm [C13]
Read the Bones Read the Bones [THS]
Windfall Windfall [PLIST]
Big Score Big Score [FIC]
Rewind Rewind [PLIST]
Blasphemous Edict Blasphemous Edict [FDN]
Blatant Thievery Blatant Thievery [PLIST]
Breach the Multiverse Breach the Multiverse [MOM]
Rise of the Dark Realms Rise of the Dark Realms [FIC]
An Offer You Can't Refuse An Offer You Can't Refuse [FIC]
Demonic Consultation Demonic Consultation [ICE]
Dispel Dispel [BFZ]
Duress Duress [DTK]
Entomb Entomb <retro> [DMR]
Essence Flux Essence Flux [INR]
Gitaxian Probe Gitaxian Probe [NPH]
Imperial Seal Imperial Seal [2X2]
Inquisition of Kozilek Inquisition of Kozilek [2X2]
Mystical Tutor Mystical Tutor <retro> [DMR]
Thought Scour Thought Scour [DKA]
Thoughtseize Thoughtseize <showcase> [OTP]
Unearth Unearth [PLIST]
Vampiric Tutor Vampiric Tutor [DMR]
Wash Away Wash Away [PLIST]
Zero Point Ballad Zero Point Ballad <extended> [EOE]
Arcane Denial Arcane Denial [DSC]
Cabal Ritual Cabal Ritual [TOR]
Cathartic Reunion Cathartic Reunion [2XM]
Corpse Churn Corpse Churn [IKO]
Demand Answers Demand Answers <showcase> [MKM]
Disdainful Stroke Disdainful Stroke [GRN]
Divert Disaster Divert Disaster [EOE]
Don't Make a Sound Don't Make a Sound [DSK]
Dramatic Reversal Dramatic Reversal [KLD]
Exhume Exhume [JMP]
Fell Fell [BLB]
Impulse Impulse [DMU]
Infernal Grasp Infernal Grasp [EOC]
Izzet Charm Izzet Charm [2X2]
Mana Drain Mana Drain <showcase> [OTP]
Mission Briefing Mission Briefing [MKC]
Persist Persist <showcase> [MH2] (F)
Stitch Together Stitch Together [FIC]
Torment of Hailfire Torment of Hailfire [HOU]
Twinflame Twinflame [JOU]
Unmarked Grave Unmarked Grave [MH2] (F)
Unsubstantiate Unsubstantiate [PLIST]
Buried Alive Buried Alive [MH3]
Cancel Cancel [M21]
Capsize Capsize [TE]
Cornered by Black Mages Cornered by Black Mages [FIN]
Dissipate Dissipate [PLIST]
Flame of Anor Flame of Anor [LTR]
Ghostly Flicker Ghostly Flicker [PLIST]
Jeska's Will Jeska's Will [MKC]
Light Up the Stage Light Up the Stage [CLU]
Maestros Charm Maestros Charm <showcase> [SNC]
Perplex Perplex [RAV]
Quasiduplicate Quasiduplicate [GRN]
Seething Song Seething Song [9ED]
Thirst for Knowledge Thirst for Knowledge [NEO]
Unlicensed Disintegration Unlicensed Disintegration [SCD]
Victimize Victimize [MH3]
Aetherize Aetherize [FDN]
Behold the Multiverse Behold the Multiverse [KHM]
Chain Reaction Chain Reaction [EOC]
Damnation Damnation [TSR]
Dread Return Dread Return [CMM] (F)
Foresee Foresee [M11]
Glimmer of Genius Glimmer of Genius [DRC]
Ignite the Future Ignite the Future [CLB]
Mystical Teachings Mystical Teachings [FDN]
Past in Flames Past in Flames [40K]
Relentless Assault Relentless Assault [8ED]
Unexpected Windfall Unexpected Windfall [PIP]
Whelming Wave Whelming Wave [JMP]
Devastation Tide Devastation Tide [LTC]
Final Reward Final Reward [AKH]
Lorien Revealed Lorien Revealed [LTR]
Mana Geyser Mana Geyser [TDC]
Rise from the Grave Rise from the Grave [EMN]
Explosive Impact Explosive Impact [RTR]
Karn's Temporal Sundering Karn's Temporal Sundering [DOM]
Rise from the Tides Rise from the Tides [INR]
River's Rebuke River's Rebuke [FDN]
Spelltwine Spelltwine [C17]
Wake the Dragon Wake the Dragon [LTC]
Firemind's Foresight Firemind's Foresight [RTR]
Treasure Cruise Treasure Cruise [TDC]

Artifacts

Arcane Signet Arcane Signet [FIC]
Sol Ring Sol Ring [SCD]
Dimir Signet Dimir Signet <retro> [BRC]
Rakdos Signet Rakdos Signet [DSC]
Izzet Signet Izzet Signet [CLU]
Black Mage's Rod Black Mage's Rod [FIN]
Lightning Greaves Lightning Greaves [PIP]
Talisman of Creativity Talisman of Creativity [PIP]
Talisman of Dominance Talisman of Dominance [FIC]
Darksteel Plate Darksteel Plate [FIC]
Fellwar Stone Fellwar Stone [TDC]
Mind Stone Mind Stone [CMM]
Talisman of Indulgence Talisman of Indulgence [FIC]
Swiftfoot Boots Swiftfoot Boots <retro> [BRC]
Soul-Guide Lantern Soul-Guide Lantern [DRC]
Wayfarer's Bauble Wayfarer's Bauble [FIC]
Isochron Scepter Isochron Scepter [DDJ]
Thought Vessel Thought Vessel [DSC]
Chromatic Lantern Chromatic Lantern [DRC]
Commander's Sphere Commander's Sphere [C17]
Darksteel Ingot Darksteel Ingot [CMM]
Thran Dynamo Thran Dynamo <retro> [BRC]
Gilded Lotus Gilded Lotus [FDN] (F)
Dreamstone Hedron Dreamstone Hedron [CMR]

Enchantments

Secrets of the Dead Secrets of the Dead [DKA]
Fiery Inscription Fiery Inscription [LTR]
Thousand-Year Storm Thousand-Year Storm [FDN]
Rhystic Study Rhystic Study [PR]
Jace's Sanctum Jace's Sanctum [ORI]
Dictate of the Twin Gods Dictate of the Twin Gods [SCD]
Double Vision Double Vision [M21]
Mystic Remora Mystic Remora [ICE]
Animate Dead Animate Dead [3ED]
Dance of the Dead Dance of the Dead [ICE]
Ripples of Undeath Ripples of Undeath [MH3]
Phyrexian Arena Phyrexian Arena <bundle - phyrexian> [ONE] (F)
Propaganda Propaganda [FIC]
Black Market Black Market [C15]
Metallurgic Summonings Metallurgic Summonings [KLD]
Arcane Bombardment Arcane Bombardment [SNC]
Rite of the Dragoncaller Rite of the Dragoncaller [FDN]

Lands

Command Tower Command Tower <264> [WHO]
Island Island <251> [THB]
Mountain Mountain <253> [THB]
Swamp Swamp <252> [THB]
Crumbling Necropolis Crumbling Necropolis [WHO]
Dragonskull Summit Dragonskull Summit [FIC]
Exotic Orchard Exotic Orchard [DRC]
Sulfur Falls Sulfur Falls [EOC]
Drowned Catacomb Drowned Catacomb [FIC]
Smoldering Marsh Smoldering Marsh [FIC]
Sunken Hollow Sunken Hollow [FIC]
Temple of Deceit Temple of Deceit [SCD]
Temple of Epiphany Temple of Epiphany [BLC]
Path of Ancestry Path of Ancestry [SCD]
Shivan Reef Shivan Reef [EOC]
Training Center Training Center [CMM]
Foreboding Ruins Foreboding Ruins [FIC]
Myriad Landscape Myriad Landscape [SCD]
Seething Landscape Seething Landscape [MH3]
Temple of the False God Temple of the False God [FIC]
Xander's Lounge Xander's Lounge [SNC]
Bojuka Bog Bojuka Bog [EOC]
Choked Estuary Choked Estuary [FIC]
Temple of Malice Temple of Malice [FDN]
Blood Crypt Blood Crypt [RNA]
Darkwater Catacombs Darkwater Catacombs [FIC]
Frostboil Snarl Frostboil Snarl [OTC]
Reliquary Tower Reliquary Tower [M3C]
Shadowblood Ridge Shadowblood Ridge [FIC]
Steam Vents Steam Vents [RTR]
Sulfurous Springs Sulfurous Springs [EOC]
Underground River Underground River [FIC]
Watery Grave Watery Grave [EOE]
Blackcleave Cliffs Blackcleave Cliffs [DSC]
Bloodfell Caves Bloodfell Caves [SCD]
Bloodstained Mire Bloodstained Mire [MH3]
City of Brass City of Brass [5ED]
Contaminated Aquifer Contaminated Aquifer [FIC]
Crypt of the Eternals Crypt of the Eternals [HOU]
Darkslick Shores Darkslick Shores [ONE]
Dimir Aqueduct Dimir Aqueduct [2X2]
Evolving Wilds Evolving Wilds <153> [DRC]
Fabled Passage Fabled Passage [EOC]
Flooded Strand Flooded Strand [MH3]
Geothermal Bog Geothermal Bog [FIC]
Ice Tunnel Ice Tunnel [KHM]
Izzet Boilerworks Izzet Boilerworks [CLU]
Luxury Suite Luxury Suite [CLB] (F)
Mana Confluence Mana Confluence <borderless> [EOS]
Molten Tributary Molten Tributary [DMU]
Morphic Pool Morphic Pool [CLB]
Mount Doom Mount Doom [LTR]
Polluted Delta Polluted Delta [MH3]
Scalding Tarn Scalding Tarn [MH2]
Shipwreck Marsh Shipwreck Marsh [MID]
Stormcarved Coast Stormcarved Coast [WHO]
Sulfurous Mire Sulfurous Mire [KHM]
Tainted Isle Tainted Isle [MKC]
Tainted Peak Tainted Peak [M3C]
The Black Gate The Black Gate [LTC]
Volatile Fjord Volatile Fjord [KHM]

Similar Decks

Deck Player Price
Kess ruined early Voyager Kess ruined early Voyager Kess ruined early Voyager KpNc 65 tix $ 375 -
Kess, Dissident Mage Kess, Dissident Mage Kess, Dissident Mage Gideonisthebest7932 5 tix $ 52 -
kess says so kess says so kess says so ZaMaRaY 64 tix $ 748 -
Wuaisi Wuaisi Wuaisi Anonymous 81 tix $ 308 -
asdfasdf asdfasdf asdfasdf Anonymous 41 tix $ 190 -
asfgfs asfgfs asfgfs Anonymous 41 tix $ 192 -
Kess Kess Kess jennatals 20 tix $ 102 -
Kess Kess Kess Anonymous 39 tix $ 190 -
Minigames.dek Minigames.dek Minigames.dek Jawickipedia 35 tix $ 145 -
kess me on the lips kess me on the lips kess me on the lips ThyMaster 125 tix $ 1,238 -
Kess CEDH Kess CEDH Kess CEDH Bolic 384 tix $ 5,903 -
Kess, Dissident Mage (Budget) Kess, Dissident Mage (Budget) Kess, Dissident Mage (Budget) dlanz 123 tix $ 2,547 -
Kess, Dissident Mage (CEDH - Budget) Kess, Dissident Mage (CEDH - Budget) Kess, Dissident Mage (CEDH - Budget) dlanz 127 tix $ 2,596 -
Compotick Compotick Compotick xcavi 135 tix $ 928 -
Kess, Dissident Mage Kess, Dissident Mage Kess, Dissident Mage AloneMan76 136 tix $ 927 -
Deckk25jh Deckk25jh Deckk25jh Anonymous 6 tix $ 25 -
Kess Storm EDH Kess Storm EDH Kess Storm EDH sjsafranek 37 tix $ 322 -
That Headache Kess That Headache Kess That Headache Kess SainteMaria 25 tix $ 206 -
111 111 111 insaniamas 127 tix $ 781 -
Surveil Midrange Surveil Midrange Surveil Midrange Centaureayl 76 tix $ 322 -
goop goop goop yudiroko 327 tix $ 5,204 -
Grixis Wizards Grixis Wizards Grixis Wizards Gorg Worgington 12 tix $ 94 -
Kess WIP (Updated: 6/10) Kess WIP (Updated: 6/10) Kess WIP (Updated: 6/10) Anonymous 107 tix $ 704 -
Kess WIP (Updated: 6/10) Kess WIP (Updated: 6/10) Kess WIP (Updated: 6/10) Anonymous 107 tix $ 692 -
Kess WIP (Updated: 6/10) Kess WIP (Updated: 6/10) Kess WIP (Updated: 6/10) Anonymous 107 tix $ 704 -
Kess WIP (Updated: 6/10) Kess WIP (Updated: 6/10) Kess WIP (Updated: 6/10) Anonymous 111 tix $ 757 -
Kess WIP (Updated: 6/10) Kess WIP (Updated: 6/10) Kess WIP (Updated: 6/10) Anonymous 115 tix $ 770 -
Kess WIP (Updated: 6/10) Kess WIP (Updated: 6/10) Kess WIP (Updated: 6/10) Anonymous 111 tix $ 725 -
Kess WIP (Updated: 6/10) Kess WIP (Updated: 6/10) Kess WIP (Updated: 6/10) Anonymous 112 tix $ 721 -
Kess WIP (Updated: 6/10) Kess WIP (Updated: 6/10) Kess WIP (Updated: 6/10) Anonymous 115 tix $ 770 -
Kess Budget Kess Budget Kess Budget Bear1989 96 tix $ 493 -
Kess Commander Kess Commander Kess Commander rsockhands 10 tix $ 199 -
Boi im Slangin this dih Boi im Slangin this dih Boi im Slangin this dih Austins Poopy butt 25 tix $ 102 -
ded ded ded Anonymous 10 tix $ 160 -
patatilla patatilla patatilla Anonymous 21 tix $ 65 -

View All 2554 Kess, Dissident Mage Decks

Layout Footer

Never miss important MTG news again!

All emails include an unsubscribe link. You may opt-out at any time. See our privacy policy.

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Twitch
  • Instagram
  • Tumblr
  • RSS
  • Email
  • Discord
  • YouTube

Price Preference

Default Price Switcher